Computer detecting an activation factor due to a selection by a slidable switch when the computer is powered off, in a standby and a pause states

ABSTRACT

If an operating knob of a mode control switch is slide in one direction, disk medium reproduction is selected and reproduction processing of data recorded in an optical disk medium set to a CD/DVD drive is executed. If the operating knob is slid in another direction, MP3 data reproduction is selected and reproduction processing of digital audio data stored in a hard disk is executed in accordance with a play list.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a division of and claims the benefit of priorityunder 35 USC § 120 from U.S. Ser. No. 09/950,076, filed Sep. 12, 2001,now U.S. Pat. No. 6,763,400, and is based upon and claims the benefit ofpriority from the prior Japanese Patent Applications No. 2000-277362,filed Sep. 12, 2000; No. 2000-277365, filed Sep. 12, 2000; and No.2000-277366, filed Sep. 12, 2000, the entire contents of all of whichare incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a computer having a function forreproducing multimedia data, a method for reproducing multimedia data inthe computer, and a recording medium for recording a program for thereproduction.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, in a computer having a function for reproducing audiodata such as MP3 data or WAVE data, a reproduction command operation iscarried out by using a pointing device such as mouse, accupoint orkeyboard. However, such audio data reproduction operation requires fineoperation in a small sized computer which is easily hand held inparticular, and therefore, there has been a problem on an aspect ofoperability. Further, in a small sized computer of such type, a usermust carry out button operation or the like due to specification of acoordinate position while a display panel is opened, that is, while apointing device operation or keyboard operation and the like is enabled.Thus, operating environment is specifically limited, and there has beena problem on an aspect of usability.

This applies to a computer having a function for reproducing compressedvideo data such as MPEG data.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there are provideda computer capable of easily and speedily making an operation forreproducing multimedia data, a method for reproducing multimedia data inthe computer, and a recording medium storing that reproduction program.

According to one aspect of the present invention, in a computer having afunction for reproducing multimedia data, there are provided a switch ata main frame of a computer main body and a program section thatdetermines the contents of operation of the switch, and activates amultimedia data player application program.

Therefore, it is possible to reproduce multimedia data speedily andeasily with a simple operation or make an operation for switching areproduction target without using an input device such as keyboard orpointing device, and therefore, without requiring fine operation, andwithout operating environment being specifically operated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the presentinvention and, together with the general description given above and thedetailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explainthe principles of the present invention in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of apersonal computer according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention while a display is opened;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of thecomputer according to the first embodiment while the display is closed;

FIG. 3 is a side view showing an external configuration of the computeraccording to the first embodiment while the computer display is closed;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing an operating section of a modecontrol switch (momentary switch) of the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a computer system configurationaccording to the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a view showing a management mechanism of a play list of thefirst embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of a play list edit screen accordingto the first embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing procedures for executing an audio datareproduction function of the computer according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a view showing a flow of reproduction processing according tothe first embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing procedures for executing an audio datareproduction function of a personal computer according to a secondembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a view showing a flow of reproduction processing according tothe second embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing procedures for executing an audio datareproduction function of a personal computer according to a thirdembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a view showing a flow of reproduction processing according tothe third embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing procedures for executing an audio datareproduction function of a personal computer according to a fourthembodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing procedures for executing an audio datareproduction function of the personal computer according to the fifthembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of a computer having a function for reproducing multimediadata according to the present invention will now be described withreference to the accompanying drawings. Multimedia data targeted forreproduction includes audio (sound) data and video data (moving pictureand still picture). Here, audio data is targeted for reproduction.Although a description of video data reproduction is omitted here, suchvideo data can be reproduced similarly.

First Embodiment

A basic structure of a notebook type personal computer that can be handheld according to the first embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 is a front view of thecomputer while a display unit is opened. FIG. 2 is a front view of thecomputer while the display unit is closed. FIG. 3 is a side view whenthe display unit is viewed from a direction indicated by the arrow S inFIG. 1 while the display unit is closed.

This computer comprises a computer main body 11 and the display unit 12.

The display unit 12 incorporates a display screen 121 comprising an LCD.The display unit 12 is mounted turnably between an opened position and aclosed position relevant to the computer main body 11.

The computer main body 11 comprises a thin box shaped main frame, and akeyboard and pointing device or the like are disposed on the top face ofthe main frame.

An L channel stereo speaker 111 a and an R channel stereo speaker 111 bare disposed separately at the left and right of the distal end on thetop face of the computer main body 11. The stereo speaker 111 a and 111b function as main speakers of the computer, and is mainly used formiddle/high tone reproduction. The L channel stereo speaker 111 a isdisposed so that a part of this speaker reaches the left side face ofthe computer main body 11. The R channel stereo speaker 111 b as well isdisposed so that a part of this speaker reaches the right side face ofthe computer main body 11. This is because sounds from the stereospeakers 111 a and 111 b can be transmitted to the outside even whilethe display unit 12 is closed.

A sub woofer 112 for low tone output is provided in the computer mainbody 11. The sub woofer 112 can improve the performance of reproducing alow tone that is hardly reproduced well by a main speaker (stereospeakers 111 a and 111 b). The sub woofer 112 is disposed in the mainframe of the computer main body 11 so that its front face is oriented tothe bottom face side of the computer main body 11.

On the front face of the computer main body 11, as illustrated, bassreflex openings 113 are provided at positions on both of the left andright sides of a receiver portion of a display latch 122. The bassreflex openings 113 are used for outputting sounds at the rear face sideof the sub woofer 112. The sound at the rear face side of the sub woofer112 is directly generated from the front face of the computer main body11 to a user through the bass reflex openings 113.

On the top face of the computer main body 11, apart from a power button114 that is a power switch of the computer main body 11, there areprovided a system indicator 115, a mode control switch (momentaryswitch) 116, an audio/video (A/V) control button 117, and a bass boostbutton 118. These system indicators 115, mode control switch 116, A/Vcontrol button 117, and bass boost button 118 are disposed so as to beexposed to the outside even while the display panel 12 is closed, asshown in FIG. 2. In the present embodiment, a cutout is provided betweenleft and right hinges beneath the display panel 12. In this manner, evenwhile the display panel 12 is closed, a region at the distal end on thetop face of the computer main body 11 is configured so as to be exposedto the outside.

The system indicator 115 includes a plurality of LEDS. When these LEDslight, it displays a variety of statuses such as power on/off state, HDDaccess state, AC adapter connection or disconnection.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing an operating section of the modecontrol switch (momentary switch) 116. In the present embodiment, audiodata targeted for reproduction includes two types of disk media audiodata stored in an optical disk medium such as a CD or DVD and audio datastored in a hard disk or memory card. The mode control switch 116 is asingle hardware switch that selects either of these two types of audiodata as a reproduction target, and instructs reproduction. As shown inFIG. 4, an operating knob 116 a employs a switch called a momentaryswitch structured so as to be slidable in a transverse direction, and isrestored to a neutral position PN when no load is applied. Ininstructing reproduction of disk media audio data recorded in an opticaldisk medium such as a CD and DVD, the operating knob 116 a is operatedat a slide position PM in a left direction. In instructing reproductionof audio data such as MP 3 data stored in the hard disk or memory card,the operating knob 116 a is operated at a slide position PD in a rightdirection.

A disk design icon 116 c that denotes reproduction of data stored indisk media shown at the slide position PM in the left direction of theoperating knob 116 a is printed on the face of the main frame at whichthe mode control switch 116 is provided. A music note design icon 116 dthat denotes reproduction of audio data stored in the hard disk ormemory card shown at the slide position PD in the right direction of theoperating knob 116 a is printed. LEDs 116 e and 116 f indicating theselection results of the momentary switch 116 are provided in thevicinity of both of the icons 116 c and 116 d.

The mode control switch 116 can be operated while the display panel 12is closed, and functions efficiently even while the computer main body11 is powered off.

The operating knob 116 a of the mode control switch 116 is operated atthe slide position PD in the right direction, whereby an SMI (SystemManagement Interrupt) in accordance with the switch operation occurs,and is notified to a CPU 201. On software, due to an occurrence of anSMI, an event indicating a slide operation of the mode control switch116 is generated from a BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) to an OS(Operating System). Operating power is always supplied to an embeddedcontroller 209 irrespective of whether the power switch is turnedon/off. When the power is turned off, a specific input/output stateincluding the mode control switch 116 is monitored.

The mode control switch 116 is operated to be set to the position PM,enabling a disk media reproduction mode in which reproduction of datastored in optical disk media such as a CD-ROM and DVD-ROM can beachieved by using the built-in CD/DVD drive 21. At this time, the modecontrol switch 116 is operated to be set to the position PM, wherebyoperating power is supplied to an audio circuit that includes a soundcontroller 203 shown in FIG. 5 described later, making it possible toreproduce audio data stored in the optical disk media such as a CD-ROMor DVD-ROM using the built-in CD/DVD drive 21.

The A/V control buttons 117 comprise hardware switches respectively, andare operating buttons for controlling audio/video reproduction of audiodata stored in the hard disk or memory card and disk media data. Thesebuttons include a “reproduction stop” button, “forward skipping” buttonand “reverse skipping” button or the like.

The bass boost button 118 is an operating button for varying an outputvolume level of a low tone from the sub woofer. The bass boost button118 is operated, thereby making it possible to increase the outputvolume level of the low tone from the sub woofer 112 (low tone emphasis:bass boost on) or release a bass boost (bass boost off). That is, in thepresent embodiment, there is provided a bass boost function for variablysetting the output volume level of the low tone according to anoperation of the bass boost button 118. In the case where the bass boostfunction is turned on, the output volume level of the low tone from thesub woofer 112 can be increased more significantly than in the casewhere the bass boost function is turned off. In this case, only theoutput volume level of the low tone from the sub woofer 112 isincreased, and the output volume level of the middle/high tone from thesub woofer 112 does not change. This is because a balance between theoutput volume of the middle/high tone from a main speaker (stereospeakers 111 a and 111 b) and the output volume of the middle/high tonefrom the sub woofer 112 is kept even when bass boost is on.

As shown in FIG. 4, a volume controller 119 and the CD/DVD drive 21 fordriving a disk medium such as a CD or DVD are provided on the left sideface of the computer main body 11, and a headphone jack, a microphonejack, and a video output jack or the like are provided on the left sideface of the computer main body 11.

The volume controller 119 is used for controlling the output volume ofthe entire composite speaker system comprising the main speaker (stereospeakers 111 a and 111 b) and the sub woofer 112.

A disk medium 20 such as a CD-ROM having audio data recorded therein orDVD-ROM having audio and video data recorded therein can be mounted as areproduction target.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a computer system configurationaccording to the present embodiment.

At this computer, as illustrated, the CD/DVD drive 21, a CPU 201, a mainmemory (ROM and RAM) 202, the embedded controller 209, and a hard diskunit (HDD) 210 or the like are provided to be connected to each othervia a system bus. In addition, there are provided a sound controller203, a volume circuit 205, an L channel main speaker amplifier (AMP) 206a, an R channel main speaker amplifier 206 b, and sub woofer amplifier207 or the like.

In a disk media reproduction mode due to operation for setting the modecontrol switch 116 to the position PM when the power is turned off,power is supplied to the CD/DVD drive 21, sound controller 203, volumecircuit 205, L channel main speaker amplifier 206 a, R channel mainspeaker amplifier 206 b, and sub woofer amplifier 207, and no power issupplied to other sections.

The sound controller 203 inputs a variety of audio data such as audiosignal CD/DVD-direct read out from the CD/DVD drive 21, an input signalMIC from a microphone, or MP3 data supplied from the hard disk unit 210,for example, through the CPU 201. According to these inputs, an Lchannel audio signal (Audio L channel) and an R channel audio signal(Audio R channel) are outputted. The L channel audio signal and Rchannel audio signal are supplied to a line-out terminal 208 forconnecting an external audio device, and are supplied to the L channelmain speaker amplifier 206 a, R channel main speaker amplifier 206 b,and sub woofer amplifier 207 through a volume circuit 205.

The volume circuit 205 is a circuit for controlling the output volumefrom the main speakers 111 a and 111 b and sub woofer 112, and increasesor decreases a signal level of the L channel audio signal and R channelaudio signal according to a volume control signal from the volumecontroller 119 described above.

The L channel main speaker amplifier 206 a is adapted to drive theL-side stereo speaker 111 a. This amplifier 206 a amplifies an L channelaudio signal inputted via the volume circuit 205, and outputs theamplified signal to the stereo speaker 111 a. The R channel main speakeramplifier 206 b is adapted to drive the R-side stereo speaker 111 b.This amplifier 206 b amplifies an R channel audio signal inputted viathe volume circuit 205, and outputs the amplifies signal to the stereospeaker 111 b.

The sub woofer amplifier 207 is adapted to drive the sub woofer 112.This amplifier 207 incorporates a low pass filter for reproducing only alow tone from the sub woofer amplifier 207. An L channel audio signaland an R channel audio signal both are inputted to the sub wooferamplifier 207 via the volume circuit 205. In the sub woofer amplifier207, synthesization of the L channel audio signal and R channel audiosignal (signal mixture) is carried out, and its synthesized signal isamplified and outputted to the sub woofer 112.

The sub woofer amplifier 207 incorporates a gain control mechanism forswitching the output volume level of the low tone from the sub woofer112 according to a bass boost control signal from the bass boost button118. This gain control mechanism is configured so as to change only again relevant to the low tone of an input signal and so as not to factorthe gain to be changed to the middle/high tone of the input signalirrespective of whether bass boost is turned on/off.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a management mechanism of a play list in whichaudio data targeted for reproduction is arbitrarily set and registeredin order of reproduction. This management mechanism is achieved by aplay list management table 301 for managing a plurality of play lists(or single play list) and the plurality of play lists 302 managed by theplay list management table 301.

The play lists 302 are stored in the hard disk unit 210. Then, the playlist 302 selected as a use target is loaded from the hard disk unit 210to the main memory 202, and is referred to during reproduction control.The play list 302 managed by the play list management table 301 can beedited by arbitrarily calling it.

In the present embodiment, while in reproduction of audio data inaccordance with the play list 302, information at the final reproductionon the play list 302 (here, ID information contained in file reproducedat the final reproduction) is maintained in a predetermined register.The content (ID information) of this registor is updated at the end of anext reproduction. Although this register for maintaining information(ID information) at the end of reproduction may be provided anywhere,for example, it is possible to provide flag registors in fields of theplay list 302, and set a flag of a predetermined value there. Here,assume that a flag register is maintained in a predetermined registerregion of the main memory 202 as an example.

FIG. 7 shows an example of an edit screen of the play list 302, where anartist name, a file name and a folder name or the like for specifying aplace for storing data targeted for reproduction are registered for eachitem of reproduction information (contents) in a play list main body310. In addition, on the play list edit screen, there are provided anadd button 311 for adding information concerning contents in the playlist main body 310, a delete button 312 for deleting information oncontents from the play list main body 310, a move button 313 for movinginformation on contents upwardly of the list, a move button 314 formoving the information downward of the list, and a display section 315or the like for displaying a time for reproducing contents currentlyreproduced during reproduction (time clocked from the start) or theremaining time. In this example, the display section 315 for displayingthe remaining time or the like is provided. This example shows anexample of configuration in which an information field targeted forediting or reproduction is displayed in reverse video. This edit screen315 can be arbitrarily created by a user in consideration of usability,and therefore, the display format, button allocation, and buttonfunctions or the like are not specified.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing procedures for executing audio datareproduction function of a personal computer according to the firstembodiment of the present invention.

By operation of the mode control switch 116, on hardware, at step S12,an SMI in accordance with the switch operation is generated by means ofthe embedded controller 209, and the interrupt is notified to the CPU201. On software, at step S14, due to generation of the above SMI, anevent indicating the above slide operation of the mode control switch116 is generated for a program (referred to as an SMG program) managingbutton operation from the BIOS via the OS. At step S16, the SMG programis initiated. At step S18, the SMG program inquires the contents ofoperation of the switch 116 to the BIOS, and acquires the contents ofoperation of the above mode control switch 116. At step S20, it isdetermined whether or not the current mode is a CD/DVD reproduction mode(operating the operating knob 116 a to be set to the slide position PMin left direction) or an MP3 reproduction mode (operating the operatingknob 116 a to be set to the slide position PD in right direction).

When the reproduction mode is the CD/DVD reproduction mode, at step S22,it is determined whether or not a digital sound player for reproducingMP3 data (a digital sound player application program) is inreproduction. When the digital sound player is in reproduction, at stepS24, reproduction of the digital sound player is stopped (the LED 116 fis turned off), and at step S26, a CD player (a CD player applicationprogram) is initiated (the LED 116 e is turned on). In the case wherethe digital sound player is not in reproduction at step S22, the CDplayer is initiated immediately at step S26.

On the other hand, in the case where the reproduction mode is the MP3reproduction mode at step S20, it is determined whether or not the CDplayer is in reproduction at step S28. When the CD player is inreproduction, at step S30, reproduction of the CD player is stopped (theLED 116 e is turned off). At step S32, the digital sound player isinitiated (the LED 116 f is turned on). In the case where it isdetermined that the CD player is not in reproduction at step S28, thedigital sound player is initiated immediately at step S32.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a flow of reproduction processing according tothe first embodiment. When the mode control switch 116 is operatedduring system operation, the switch operation is notified from the BIOSto the SMG program via the OS. Upon the receipt of the abovenotification, the SMG program initiates a player application program (CDplayer application/digital sound player application) targeted to bereproduced in accordance with the contents of operation of the switch.In the present embodiment, CD media mountable on the CD/DVD drive 21include media having compressed audio data or audio/video data recordedtherein.

Specifically, when the mode control switch 116 is operated, the switchoperation state is notified from the BIOS to the SMG program via the OS,and the SMG program inquires the BIOS for the contents of switchoperation (inquires a switch operation event). In this manner, it isrecognized whether or not the current mode is the CD/DVD reproductionmode (operating the operating knob 116 a to set to the slide position PMin left direction) or MP3 reproduction mode (operating the operatingknob 116 a to be set to the slide position PD in right direction).

When the current mode is the CD/DVD reproduction mode ((3-1) in FIG. 9),it is determined whether or not the disk medium is in reproduction.Otherwise, it is determined whether or not the digital sound player isin reproduction operation (in reproduction processing under the controlof the digital sound player application program). When the digital soundplayer is in reproduction operation, the operation is controlled to bestopped ((4-1) in FIG. 9), and the CD player (the CD player applicationprogram) is initiated for reproduction ((5-1) in FIG. 9).

In addition, when the current mode is the MP3 reproduction mode ((3-2)in FIG. 9), it is determined whether or not the digital sound player isin operation. If the digital sound player is not in operation, it isdetermined whether or not a CD medium mounted on the disk drive 21 is inreproduction. When the CD medium is in reproduction, the operation iscontrolled to be stopped ((4-2 in FIG. 9), and the digital sound playerapplication is initiated for reproduction ((5-2) in FIG. 9).

In reproduction processing after each player has been initiated, a“reproduction stop” button, “forward skipping” button, “backwardskipping” button, or the like included in the A/V control buttons 117 isoperated, thereby enabling reproduction step, forward skipping, backwardskipping or the like. In addition, a bass boost button 118 is operatedto be depressed, whereby the output volume level of the low tone fromthe sub woofer 112 can be switched.

As has been described above, according to the first embodiment, in acomputer having a function for reproducing data stored in a hard disk ora memory card and a function for reproducing data stored in an opticaldisk medium such as a CD, there can be achieved a well operablereproduction mechanism capable of easily and speedily carrying out aswitching a target to be reproduced or reproduction mode with a simpleoperation. In addition, there can be achieved a reproduction functionwith its improved operability, capable of audio data reproduction orswitching operation of a target to be reproduced only by operation of ahardware switch (the mode control switch 116) provided at apredetermined position of a main frame of the computer main body.

Other embodiments of the computer according to the present inventionwill be described. The same portions as those of the first embodimentwill be indicated in the same reference numerals and their detaileddescription will be omitted.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing procedures for executing an audio datareproduction function of a personal computer according to the secondembodiment. Although the first embodiment presumes that only CD isinserted into the CD/DVD drive 21, the present embodiment presumes thata DVD is also be inserted.

Because of this, in connection to the flow chart shown in FIG. 8, a stepof determining whether or not a medium inserted into the CD/DVD drive 21is a CD and the DVD player reproduction step are added. That is, in thecase where it is determined that the digital sound player is not inreproduction at step S22, or alternatively, after the digital soundplayer is stopped at step S24, it is determined at step S40 whether ornot the medium inserted into the CD/DVD drive 21 is a CD. Only in thecase of a CD, the CD player is initiated at step S26. In the case of aDVD, the DVD player is initiated at step S42. At step S28, unlike FIG.8, it is determined whether or not a CD or DVD is in reproduction. Inthe case where the CD or DVD is in reproduction, the CD or DVD player isstopped at step S30.

FIG. 11 is a view showing a flow of reproduction processing in thesecond embodiment. When the mode control switch 116 is operated duringsystem operation, the switch operation is notified from the BIOS to theSMG program via the OS. Upon the receipt of the above notification, theSMG program initiates a player application program (CD playerapplication/DVD player application/digital sound player application)targeted to be reproduced in accordance with the contents of operationof the switch 116.

Specifically, when the mode control switch 116 is operated, the switchoperation state is notified from the BIOS to the SMG program via the OS,and the SMG program inquires the BIOS for the contents of switchoperation (inquires a switch operation event). It is recognized whetheror not the current mode is a CD/DVD reproduction mode (operating theoperating knob 116 a to be set to the slide position PM in leftdirection) or an MP3 reproduction mode (operating the operating knob 116a to be set to the slide position PD in right direction).

If the current mode is the CD/DVD reproduction mode, it is determinedwhether or not a disk medium is in reproduction. Otherwise, it isdetermined whether or not a digital sound player is in reproductionoperation (in reproduction operation under the control of a digitalsound player application program). When the digital sound player is inreproduction operation, the operation is controlled to be stopped, and aCD player (a CD player application program) or a DVD player (a DVDplayer application program) is initiated for reproduction in accordancewith the type of the mounted medium recognized at the controller side ofthe CD/DVD drive 21.

In addition, when the current mode is the MP3 reproduction mode, it isdetermined whether or not the digital sound player is in operation.Otherwise, it is determined whether or not the disk mounted on theCD/DVD drive 21 is in reproduction. When the disk is in reproduction,the operation is controlled to be stopped, and a digital sound playerapplication is initiated for reproduction.

In the second embodiment as well, in reproduction processing after eachplayer has been initiated, the “reproduction stop” button, “forwardskipping” button, and “backward skipping” button or the like included inthe A/V control buttons 117 are operated, thereby enabling reproductionstop, forward skipping, backward skipping or the like relevant to eachreproduction target (CD/DVD/digital sound player). The bass boost button118 is operated to be depressed, whereby the output volume level of thelow tone from the sub woofer can be switched.

In the second embodiment as well, the same advantageous effect as thatof the first embodiment can be achieved.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing procedures for executing an audio datareproduction function of a personal computer according to the thirdembodiment. FIG. 12 shows reproduction processing when the operatingknob 116 a of the mode control switch 116 is operated to be set to theslide position PD in the right direction when a system is in a power offstate, a standby state, or a pause state, and reproduction processing ofaudio data, such as MP3 data, stored in the hard disk or memory card isexecuted.

FIG. 13 is a view showing a flow of reproduction processing according tothe third embodiment. When the mode control switch 116 is operated (theoperating knob 116 a is operated to set to the slide position PD in theright direction) when the system is powered off, the system is poweredon, and the BIOS initiates the system. At this time, the BIOS stores thefact that the system is activated due to an operation of the modecontrol switch 116. The system is activated, and the OS is initiated,whereby an SMG program processing is executed. In this SMG programprocessing, when the activation factor of this system is inquired to theBIOS ((4) in FIG. 13), and it is recognized that the activation factoris due to an operation of the mode control switch 116, a digital soundplayer targeted for reproduction and driving (a digital sound playerapplication program) is initiated.

Although the slide type momentary switch 116 as shown in FIG. 4 is usedas a switch for starting reproduction of data stored in the hard disk ormemory card, for example, a variety of switches such as push-type pushswitch is applicable without being limited to this momentary switch.

The third embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.12 and 13. When the system power is in a power off state, a standbystate, if a pause state, the mode control switch 116 is operated, andreproduction of data stored in the hard disk or memory card isinstructed (step S52 in FIG. 12 and (1) in FIG. 13), the system ispowered on (step S54). Then, this system is powered on, whereby the BIOSis initiated and the OS is activated (or resume processing is executed)(step S56 in FIG. 12 and (2) in FIG. 13). At this time, the BIOS storesthe fact that the system is activated by operation of the mode controlswitch 116 for the purpose of inquiry from the SMG program.

When the OS is initiated (or resume processing is executed), and thesystem is activated, an SMG program processing is executed (step S58 inFIG. 12 and (3) in FIG. 13).

In this SMG program processing, the system activation factor is firstinquired for the BIOS, and the system activation factor is acquired fromthe BIOS (step S60 in FIG. 12 and (4) in FIG. 13).

It is determined whether or not the system activation factor is due toan operation of the mode control switch 116 from the acquired contents(step S62). When it is recognized that the activation factor is due toan operation of the mode control switch 116, the digital sound playertargeted for reproduction (a digital sound player application program)is initiated (step S64 in FIG. 12 and (5) in FIG. 13).

In this manner, the digital sound player is initiated, and a digitalsound reproduction processing is started ((6) in FIG. 13).

In this way, when the system is in a power off state, a standby state,or a pause state and the like, a digital sound reproduction processingfor digital sound data, such as MP3 data, stored in the hard disk ormemory card is executed by operating an MP3 data reproduction switch(the mode control switch 116 in this example) only. Specifically, aftersystem activation, it is recognized that the SMG program is powered onby operation of the mode control switch 116, and the digital soundplayer is initiated.

With such a reproduction control function, reproduction of digital audiodata such as MP3 data stored in the hard disk or memory card can becarried out only by a single switch operation irrespective of a computerstate.

According to the third embodiment, by operation of a specific modecontrol switch, there can be provided a computer achieving a function ofreproducing and controlling digital audio data irrespective of whetherthe system is active or inactive, a method for reproducing digital audiodata in the computer, and a storage medium. In addition, there can beprovided a computer having an audio data reproduction function, andcapable of easily and speedily making reproduction of digital audio dataor a switching operation of a reproduction target irrespective ofwhether the system is active or inactive. In addition, in a computerhaving a function for reproducing digital audio data stored in the harddisk or memory card and a function for reproducing audio data from anoptical disk medium, there can be provided an excellent operabilitycapable of easily and speedily making an instruction for reproducingeach of the reproduction functions or an instruction for switchingtarget data for reproduction with a simple operation irrespective ofwhether or not the system is active or inactive.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing procedures for executing an audioreproduction function of a personal computer according to the fourthembodiment of the present invention. Before initiating a digital soundplayer relevant to a flow chart according to the second embodiment shownin FIG. 10, step S70 of reading ID information on a file reproduced atthe end of the final reproduction maintained in a register region of themain memory 202 described above is added, and at step S32, a point ofstarting reproduction from a file specified in accordance with the IDinformation is merely changed.

With such a reproduction function, in a computer having an audio datareproduction function and a CD/DVD reproduction function, there can beachieved a reproduction mechanism capable of easily and speedily makinginstruction for reproducing each reproduction function or an instructionfor switching reproduction target data with a simple operation. Inaddition, a reproduction function with its improved operability capableof audio data reproduction or a switching operation of reproductiontarget data can be achieved only by operation of a mode control switch(the mode control switch 116) provided at the main frame of the computermain body.

Fifth Embodiment

A fifth embodiment will be described with reference to a flow chartshown in FIG. 15. In the present embodiment, when the above describedmode control switch 116 is operated to be set to any slide position(step S82) or when another mode control switch indicating audioreproduction is depressed (step S84), a play list is referred to (stepS86), and the corresponding player is initiated in accordance with thecontents of registration of that play list (steps S90, S94 and S96).Individual processing is similar to the embodiments described above withrespect to individual processing. A detailed description will be omittedhere.

In the fifth embodiment as well, in a computer having an audio datareproduction function and a CD/DVD reproduction function, there can beachieved a sound reproduction mechanism capable of easily and speedilymaking instruction for reproducing each of the reproduction functions orinstruction for switching reproduction target data with a simpleoperation. In addition, there can be achieved a reproduction functionwith its improved operability capable of making audio data reproductionor an operation for switching reproduction target data by operation onlyof a single mode control switch (the mode control switch 116 or anothermode control switch) provided at the main frame of the computer mainbody.

Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to thoseskilled in the art. Therefore, the present invention in its broaderaspects is not limited to the specific details, representative devices,and illustrated examples shown and described herein. Accordingly,various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit orscope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claimsand their equivalents. For example, although each of the embodiments hasbeen described solely, a plurality of embodiments may be combinedproperly.

In addition, the present invention can be carried out as a computerreadable recording medium having recorded therein a program for causinga computer to carry out the above described function.

1. A computer comprising: means for storing audio data including atleast one of a hard disk and a semiconductor memory; first reproducingmeans for reproducing the audio data stored in the means for storing;second reproducing means for reproducing audio data stored in an opticaldisk medium; a selector which selects one of the means for storing andthe optical disk medium; means for activating the computer by selectionoperation of said selector when the computer is powered off, is in astandby state, and in a pause state; and control means for detecting anactivation factor at a time of computer activation, and, when theactivation factor is due to a selection operation of the selector toselect the means for storing, initiating said first reproducing means,and when the activation factor is due to a selection operation of theselector to select the optical disk medium, initiating said secondreproducing means, and wherein said first reproducing means comprisesmeans for reproducing the audio data in accordance with a play list forspecifying a reproduction order of the audio data, and means foracquiring identification information on the audio data that has beenreproduced immediately before, at the end of reproduction operation, andstoring the acquired identification information at the start of a nextreproduction, and wherein said control means comprises means forstarting reproduction from audio data according to the storedidentification information when said control means initiates said firstreproducing means, wherein said selector comprises a slidable momentaryswitch including an operating knob which is restored to a neutralposition when no load is applied and slid to two directions to selectthe means for storing and the optical disk medium.